No fines from Cleveland Police so far for failing to wear face masks on public transport

Richard Lewis, Chief Constable Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger walking around the town centre area of Hartlepool before the lockdown.

Police forces across England were given the power to issue £100 on the spot fines after the coronavirus lockdown was partially eased at the start of this month.

Public transport passengers have been prevented from boarding buses and trains if they refuse to cover their face.

Penalty charges apply to those who repeatedly refuse to do so.

But Cleveland Police has revealed it had not given out any fines for breaches of the rules to date.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger was happy with the stance taken by transport companies in helping people adhere to the rules.

The Labour commissioner added: “I’m pleased with the approach travel companies are taking to engage, encourage and explain the new regulations to customers – involving the police only as a last resort and in exceptional circumstances.

“I am satisfied that the action Cleveland Police has taken during Covid-19 is in line with what the public want and expect.

“As lockdown eases and crime levels begin to return to pre-Covid levels, my priority as commissioner is that vulnerable people and victims of crime get the service they need from the force.”

More than 3,000 extra staff – including police officers – were deployed to stations across England to help enforce new rules on face coverings in public with the changes also applying to visitors at NHS hospitals.

Children aged under 11, disabled people and those with certain health conditions are exempt from face covering rules.

The rules also apply to anyone travelling by bus, coach, train, tram, ferry or plane but they exclude school transport.

World Health Organisation (WHO) advice states non-medical face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.

Arriva bus drivers have been advised to tell passengers about the face mask law if they aren’t wearing a mask.

A company spokeswoman added: “If a customer is not exempt and refuses to wear a face covering, then our drivers have been instructed to explain to the customer that they are breaking the law and that the police have powers to impose a fine of up to £100.

“Our drivers report all failures to comply with Government policy to their depot management team to allow us to closely monitor the situation and advise the authorities.”

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